C680A crew reported a loss of control when landing in a heavy rain-shower. Crew reported rain repellent system was ineffective on Captains side and transferred controls late in the approach to the First Officer who performed the landing.
Synopsis
C680A crew reported a loss of control when landing in a heavy rain-shower. Crew reported rain repellent system was ineffective on Captains side and transferred controls late in the approach to the First Officer who performed the landing.
Narrative
We were getting vectored for the ILS XX at ZZZ. There was a lot of rain in the area and we got vectored around the worst of the weather and cleared for the ILS XX. I was the pilot flying in the left seat and the weather was marginal and still some moderate rain showers over the field. We broke out about 700-1000 feet and we could see the runway. I turned off the autopilot at about 500 feet and hand flew the rest of the approach. The hydrophobic coating on my windshield was very ineffective; but the runway lights were full bright and I felt I could continue. Well at about 200-300 feet the visibility got worse and I could hardly see and I started to drift towards the left side of the runway. It was at that time we decided to swap controls as the right side windshield was a little better. After the transfer of controls we drifted a little to the right side of the runway and landed on the right side close to the bright runway lights. I resumed taxi duties from the left seat and taxied very slowly off the runway and to the ramp as the visibility still was very poor. Afterwards we did a good post flight and debrief about the situation and wrote up the windshield hydrophobic protection. Suggestions: In our debrief we understood we should have transferred controls earlier on the approach and/or went around; even though we were tired and there was still weather in the area. The hydrophobic coating should have a shorter maintenance life cycle as there is no other visibility enhancing device on the Latitude.
Second reporter narrative
Heavy rain and low ceilings due to thunderstorms in area. My Co-Captain was flying from the left seat; ILS XX. We broke out around 800-1000 feet with the field in sight. He mentioned that the rain repellent coating was bad and was having a hard time seeing the lights even though on my side I could see them reasonably well. I immediately suggested we could transfer controls and he said he was ok. As we got lower I noticed he was lined up on the left side runway lights; I told him this and offered to take controls again. He said he was ok again; approaching less then 200 I assertively said I need to take the controls; we then transferred controls. In the flare as we touched down an extremely heavy rain shower unleashed on us and visibility went to very poor. Maintaining lateral control of the plane became difficult and we got close to the right edge runway lights. I corrected and brought us back closer to the centerline. We then retransferred controls and cleared the runway. The rain diminished at some point during the taxi into the FBO. We had an extensive debrief and agreed we should have transferred controls much further out or just did a go around and then had me fly the approach with better window for rain protection. As soon as we landed I wrote the rain protection on the windshields as being deficient. Additionally; I inspected the right wing area and did not notice any damage at the time. Suggestions: As Person A and I discussed we should have transferred controls much earlier and the better option would have been to go around and then I fly the whole approach from the right seat. Fatigue was also most likely a factor after several long nights of recoveries and weather issues.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.